Accident: Irate public torch bus, pelt stones

KSRTC offers Rs 50,000 compensation

One person was killed on the spot when a KSRTC bus hit a motorbike near Vaddarahalli gate in the taluk, on Friday. The deceased is B Chikkanna, alias Swamygowda (56), son of Bettegowda of Kanivekoppal village.

He was on his way to his fair price shop at Honaganahalli on a motorbike when a KSRTC bus hit the bike, leaving him severely injured. He was provided first aid at the government hospital. He breathed his last enroute to a hospital in Mysuru.

The incident triggered a protest, with irate public blocking the road on Mysuru-K R Pet main road, and demanding suitable compensation to the family members of the victim. They vented their ire by torching the bus and also pelting stones on passing vehicles.
Police and Fire personnel arrived on the spot and doused the flames.

Following this, a protest was also held at Dr Rajkumar circle in the town. Their attempts to torch a bus here was averted by the police, who also brought the situation under control.

However, the bus driver had abandoned the bus and escaped from the spot. The KSRTC officials, who arrived on the spot presented Rs 50,000 compensation to the family members.

It can be recalled that seven persons travelling in a car to K R Pet, to attend a function were killed when a KSRTC bus hit the vehicle at the same spot four years ago. There have also been minor incidents leaving several persons injured. The protesters demanded widening of road to avert recurrence of such incidents in future.